Method and apparatus for making curled decorative grass

Abstract

Curled decorative grass having a variety of configurations and methods for making such decorative grass is provided which, because of its increased bulk, can also be used as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and a media for plants. The curled decorative grass is produced by curling a substantially flat sheet of material and thereafter cutting the resulting curled sheet of material, or by cutting a pre-curled material.

1 . A curled decorative grass for use as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and as a media for plants, the curled decorative grass produced by a method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a sheet of material capable of having a curl imparted thereto;    drawing the sheet of material over at least one curl bar so as to produce a curled sheet of material, the sheet of material being maintained under tension while drawn over the at least one curl bar to ensure proper angular disposition of the sheet of material over the at least one curl bar; and    slitting the curled sheet of material to provide curled decorative grass having a substantially clock spring configuration, wherein the curled decorative grass has a multi-sided cross section, a length and a width.    
     
     
         2 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of slitting the curled sheet of material, the curled sheet of material is maintained under tension while slitting the curled sheet of material.  
     
     
         3 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 1 , wherein the step of slitting the curled sheet of material further comprises cutting the slit curled sheet of material to provide curled decorative grass.  
     
     
         4 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 3  further comprising the step of: 
 passing the slit curled sheet of material through a restraining assembly prior to cutting the slit curled sheet of material so as to maintain the slit curled sheet of material in a substantially planar or flattened condition, thereby enhancing uniformity of the curled decorative grass.    
     
     
         5 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 1 , wherein, in the step of slitting the curled sheet of material, the curled decorative grass are attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         6 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 5 , wherein the step of slitting the curled sheet of material further comprises cutting the curled sheet of material to provide curled decorative grass attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         7 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 6  further comprising the step of: 
 passing the curled sheet of material through a restraining assembly after the curled sheet of material is slit and prior to cutting the curled sheet of material so as to maintain the curled sheet of material in a substantially planar or flattened condition, thereby enhancing uniformity of the curled decorative grass.    
     
     
         8 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of drawing the sheet of material over at least one curl bar, the at least one curl bar is provided with a curling edge over which the sheet of material is drawn to form the curled sheet of material and wherein the curling edge of the at least one curl bar is disposed at an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees relative to the sheet of material.  
     
     
         9 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of drawing the sheet of material over at least one curl bar, the sheet of material is drawn over a plurality of spatially disposed curl bars to form the curled sheet of material.  
     
     
         10 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 9  wherein each of the curl bars is provided with a curling edge over which the sheet of material is drawn so as to impart the curl to the sheet of material and form the curled sheet of material, and wherein the curling edge of each of the curl bars is disposed at an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees relative to the sheet of material.  
     
     
         11 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 1 , wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is substantially flat.  
     
     
         12 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is selected from the group consisting of paper, polymeric film, laminated polymeric film, wax paper, paper having a shape-sustaining agent applied to at least one side thereof and paper having a lacquer applied to at least one side thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is provided with a printed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern.  
     
     
         14 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is provided with an embossed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the embossed pattern.  
     
     
         15 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is provided with a printed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof and an embossed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern and at least a portion of the embossed pattern.  
     
     
         16 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 15  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are in register with one another.  
     
     
         17 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 15  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are out of register with one another.  
     
     
         18 . A curled decorative grass for use as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and as a media for plants, the curled decorative grass produced by a method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a sheet of material capable of having a curl imparted thereto;    drawing the sheet of material over at least one curl bar so as to form a curled sheet of material, the sheet of material being maintained under tension while drawn over the at least one curl bar to ensure proper angular disposition of the sheet of material over the at least one curl bar;    oscillating the curled sheet of material in a lateral direction relative to the direction of travel of the curled sheet of material;    slitting the oscillating curled sheet of material to provide curled decorative grass having a substantially compression-tension spring configuration, wherein the curled decorative grass has a multi-sided cross section, a length and a width.    
     
     
         19 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 18  wherein, in the step of slitting the curled sheet of material, the curled sheet of material is maintained under tension while slitting the curled sheet of material.  
     
     
         20 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 18  wherein the step of slitting the curled sheet of material further comprises cutting the slit curled sheet of material to provide curled decorative grass.  
     
     
         21 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 20  further comprising: 
 passing the oscillating slit curled sheet of material through a restraining assembly prior to cutting the slit curled sheet of material so as to maintain the slit curled sheet of material in a substantially planar or flattened condition, thereby enhancing uniformity of the curled decorative grass.    
     
     
         22 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 18  wherein, in the step of slitting the curled sheet of material, the curled decorative grass are attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         23 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 22  wherein the step of slitting the curled sheet of material further comprises cutting the curled sheet of material to provide curled decorative grass attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         24 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 23  further comprising: 
 passing the curled sheet of material through a restraining assembly after the curled sheet of material is slit and prior to cutting the curled sheet of material so as to maintain the curled sheet of material in a substantially planar or flattened condition, thereby enhancing uniformity of the curled decorative grass.    
     
     
         25 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 18  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is selected from the group consisting of paper, polymeric film, laminated polymeric film, wax paper, paper having a shape-sustaining agent applied to at least one side thereof and paper having a lacquer applied to at least one side thereof.  
     
     
         26 . A curled decorative grass for use as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and as a media for plants, the curled decorative grass produced by a method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a sheet of material capable of having a curl imparted thereto;    slitting the sheet of material to provide a plurality of side-by-side strips of material; and    drawing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material over at least one curl bar so as to produce curled decorative grass having a substantially clock spring configuration, wherein the curled decorative grass has a multi-sided cross section, a length and a width, the plurality of side-by-side strips of material being maintained under tension while drawn over the at least one curl bar to ensure proper angular disposition of the plurality of side-by-side strips of material over the at least one curl bar.    
     
     
         27 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 26  wherein, in the step of slitting the sheet of material, the sheet of material is maintained under tension while slitting the sheet of material.  
     
     
         28 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 26 , wherein the step of drawing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material over at least one curl bar further comprises cutting the plurality of side-by-side strips of material to provide curled decorative grass.  
     
     
         29 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 28  further comprising the step of: 
 passing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material through a restraining assembly after the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are drawn over at least one curl bar and prior to cutting the plurality of side-by-side strips of material so as to maintain the plurality of side-by-side strips of material in a substantially planar or flattened condition, thereby enhancing uniformity of the curled decorative grass.    
     
     
         30 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 26 , wherein, in the step of slitting the sheet of material, the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         31 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 30 , wherein the step of drawing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material over at least one curl bar further comprises cutting the plurality of side-by-side strips of material to provide curled decorative grass attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         32 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 31  further comprising the step of: 
 passing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material through a restraining assembly after the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are drawn over at least one curl bar and prior to cutting the plurality of side-by-side strips of material so as to maintain the plurality of side-by-side strips of material in a substantially planar or flattened condition, thereby enhancing uniformity of the curled decorative grass.    
     
     
         33 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 26  wherein, in the step of drawing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material over at least one curl bar, the at least one curl bar is provided with a curling edge over which the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are drawn to form the curled decorative grass and wherein the curling edge of the at least one curl bar is disposed at an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees relative to the plurality of side-by-side strips of material.  
     
     
         34 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 26  wherein, in the step of drawing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material over at least one curl bar, the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are drawn over a plurality of spatially disposed curl bars to form the curled decorative grass.  
     
     
         35 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 34  wherein each of the curl bars is provided with a curling edge over which the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are drawn so as to impart the curl to the plurality of side-by-side strips of material and form the curled decorative grass, and wherein the curling edge of each of the curl bars is disposed at an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees relative to the plurality of side-by-side strips of material.  
     
     
         36 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 26 , wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is substantially flat.  
     
     
         37 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 26  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is selected from the group consisting of paper, polymeric film, laminated polymeric film, wax paper, paper having a shape-sustaining agent applied to at least one side thereof and paper having a lacquer applied to at least one side thereof.  
     
     
         38 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 26  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is provided with a printed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern.  
     
     
         39 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 26  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is provided with an embossed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the embossed pattern.  
     
     
         40 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 26  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is provided with a printed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof and an embossed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern and at least a portion of the embossed pattern.  
     
     
         41 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 40  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are in register with one another.  
     
     
         42 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 40  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are out of register with one another.  
     
     
         43 . A method for making curled decorative grass for use as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and as a media for plants, the curled decorative grass produced from a sheet of material wherein the curled decorative grass has a multi-sided cross section, a length and a width, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 providing a sheet of material capable of having a curl imparted thereto;    drawing the sheet of material over at least one curl bar so as to produce a curled sheet of material, the sheet of material being maintained under tension while drawn over the at least one curl bar to ensure proper angular disposition of the sheet of material over the at least one curl bar;    slitting the curled sheet of material to provide curled decorative grass having a substantially clock spring configuration.    
     
     
         44 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 43  wherein, in the step of slitting the curled sheet of material, the curled sheet of material is maintained under tension while slitting the curled sheet of material.  
     
     
         45 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 43  wherein the step of slitting the curled sheet of material further comprises cutting the slit curled sheet of material to provide curled decorative grass.  
     
     
         46 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 45  further comprising the step of: 
 passing the slit curled sheet of material through a restraining assembly prior to cutting the slit curled sheet of material so as to maintain the slit curled sheet of material in a substantially planar or flattened condition, thereby enhancing uniformity of the curled decorative grass.    
     
     
         47 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 43  wherein, in the step of slitting the curled sheet of material, the curled decorative grass are attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         48 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 47 , wherein the step of slitting the curled sheet of material further comprises cutting the curled sheet of material to provide curled decorative grass attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         49 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 48  further comprising the step of: 
 passing the curled sheet of material through a restraining assembly after the curled sheet of material is slit and prior to cutting the curled sheet of material so as to maintain the curled sheet of material in a substantially planar or flattened condition, thereby enhancing uniformity of the curled decorative grass.    
     
     
         50 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 43  wherein, in the step of drawing the sheet of material over at least one curl bar, the at least one curl bar is provided with a curling edge over which the sheet of material is drawn to form the curled sheet of material and wherein the curling edge of the at least one curl bar is disposed at an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees relative to the sheet of material.  
     
     
         51 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 43  wherein, in the step of drawing the sheet of material over at least one curl bar, the sheet of material is drawn over a plurality of spatially disposed curl bars to form the curled sheet of material.  
     
     
         52 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 51  wherein each of the curl bars is provided with a curling edge over which the sheet of material is drawn so as to impart the curl to the sheet of material and form the curled sheet of material, and wherein the curling edge of each of the curl bars is disposed at an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees relative to the sheet of material.  
     
     
         53 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 43  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is substantially flat.  
     
     
         54 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 43  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is selected from the group consisting of paper, polymeric film, laminated polymeric film, wax paper, paper having a shape-sustaining agent applied to at least one side thereof and paper having a lacquer applied to at least one side thereof.  
     
     
         55 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 43  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is provided with a printed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern.  
     
     
         56 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 43  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is provided with an embossed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the embossed pattern.  
     
     
         57 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 43  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is provided with a printed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof and an embossed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern and at least a portion of the embossed pattern.  
     
     
         58 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 57  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are in register with one another.  
     
     
         59 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 57  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are out of register with one another.  
     
     
         60 . A method for making curled decorative grass for use as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and as a media for plants, the curled decorative grass produced from a sheet of material wherein the curled decorative-grass has a multi-sided cross section, a length and a width, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 providing a sheet of material capable of having a curl imparted thereto;    drawing the sheet of material over at least one curl bar so as to form a curled sheet of material, the sheet of material being maintained under tension while drawn over the at least one curl bar to ensure proper angular disposition of the sheet of material over the at least one curl bar;    oscillating the curled sheet of material in a lateral direction relative to the direction of travel of the curled sheet of material;    slitting the oscillating curled sheet of material to provide curled decorative grass having a substantially compression-tension spring configuration.    
     
     
         61 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 60  wherein, in the step of slitting the curled sheet of material, the curled sheet of material is maintained under tension while slitting the curled sheet of material.  
     
     
         62 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 60  wherein the step of slitting the curled sheet of material further comprises cutting the curled sheet of material to provide decorative grass.  
     
     
         63 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 62  further comprising: 
 passing the oscillating slit curled sheet of material through a restraining assembly prior to cutting the slit curled sheet of material so as to maintain the slit curled sheet of material in a substantially planar or flattened condition, thereby enhancing uniformity of the curled decorative grass.    
     
     
         64 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 60  wherein, in the step of slitting the curled sheet of material, the curled decorative grass are attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         65 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 64  wherein the step of slitting the curled sheet of material further comprises cutting the curled sheet of material to provide decorative grass attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         66 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 65  further comprising: 
 passing the oscillating curled sheet of material through a restraining assembly after the curled sheet of material is slitted and prior to cutting the curled sheet of material so as to maintain the curled sheet of material in a substantially planar or flattened condition, thereby enhancing uniformity of the curled decorative grass.    
     
     
         67 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 60  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is substantially flat.  
     
     
         68 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 60  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is selected from the group consisting of paper, polymeric film, laminated polymeric film, wax paper, paper having a shape-sustaining agent applied to at least one side thereof and paper having a lacquer applied to at least one side thereof.  
     
     
         69 . A method for making curled decorative grass for use as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and as a media for plants, the curled decorative grass produced from a sheet of material wherein the curled decorative grass has a multi-sided cross section, a length and a width, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 providing a sheet of material capable of having a curl imparted thereto;    slitting the sheet of material to provide a plurality of side-by-side strips of material; and    drawing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material over at least one curl bar so as to produce a curled decorative grass having a substantially clock spring configuration, the plurality of side-by-side strips of material being maintained under tension while drawn over the at least one curl bar to ensure proper angular disposition of the plurality of side-by-side strips of material over the at least one curl bar.    
     
     
         70 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 69  wherein, in the step of slitting the sheet of material, the sheet of material is maintained under tension while slitting the sheet of material.  
     
     
         71 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 69  wherein the step of drawing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material over at least one curl bar further comprises cutting the plurality of side-by-side strips of material to provide curled decorative grass.  
     
     
         72 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 71  further comprising the step of: 
 passing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material through a restraining assembly after the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are drawn over at least one curl bar and prior to cutting the plurality of side-by-side strips of material so as to maintain the plurality of side-by-side strips of material in a substantially planar or flattened condition, thereby enhancing uniformity of the curled decorative grass.    
     
     
         73 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 69  wherein, in the step of slitting the sheet of material, the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         74 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 73 , wherein the step of drawing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material over at least one curl bar further comprises cutting the plurality of side-by-side strips of material to provide curled decorative grass attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         75 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 74  further comprising the step of: 
 passing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material through a restraining assembly after the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are drawn over at least one curl bar and prior to cutting the plurality of side-by-side strips of material so as to maintain the plurality of side-by-side strips of material in a substantially planar or flattened condition, thereby enhancing uniformity of the curled decorative grass.    
     
     
         76 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 69  wherein, in the step of drawing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material over at least one curl bar, the at least one curl bar is provided with a curling edge over which the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are drawn to form the curled decorative grass and wherein the curling edge of the at least one curl bar is disposed at an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees relative to the plurality of side-by-side strips of material.  
     
     
         77 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 69  wherein, in the step of drawing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material over at least one curl bar, the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are drawn over a plurality of spatially disposed curl bars to form the curled decorative grass.  
     
     
         78 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 77  wherein each of the curl bars is provided with a curling edge over which the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are drawn so as to impart the curl to the plurality of side-by-side strips of material and form the curled decorative grass, and wherein the curling edge of each of the curl bars is disposed at an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees relative to the plurality of side-by-side strips of material.  
     
     
         79 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 69  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is substantially flat.  
     
     
         80 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 69  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is selected from the group consisting of paper, polymeric film, laminated polymeric film, wax paper, paper having a shape-sustaining agent applied to at least one side thereof and paper having a lacquer applied to at least one side thereof.  
     
     
         81 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 69  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is provided with a printed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern.  
     
     
         82 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 69  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is provided with an embossed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the embossed pattern.  
     
     
         83 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 69  wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material is provided with a printed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof and an embossed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern and at least a portion of the embossed pattern.  
     
     
         84 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 83  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are in register with one another.  
     
     
         85 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 83  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are out of register with one another.  
     
     
         86 . A method for making curled decorative grass for use as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and as a media for plants, the curled decorative grass produced from a sheet of material wherein the curled decorative grass has a multi-sided cross section, a length and a width, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 providing a sheet of material;    drawing the sheet of material over at least one curl bar so as to produce a curled sheet of material;    slitting the curled sheet of material to provide curled decorative grass having a substantially clock spring configuration.    
     
     
         87 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 86  wherein the step of slitting the curled sheet of material further comprises cutting the curled sheet of material to provide curled decorative grass.  
     
     
         88 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 86  wherein, in the step of slitting the curled sheet of material, the curled decorative grass are attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         89 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 88  wherein the step of slitting the curled sheet of material further comprises cutting the curled sheet of material to provide curled decorative grass attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         90 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 86  wherein the sheet of material is substantially flat.  
     
     
         91 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 86  wherein the sheet of material is selected from the group consisting of paper, polymeric film, laminated polymeric film, wax paper, paper having a shape-sustaining agent applied to at least one side thereof and paper having a lacquer applied to at least one side thereof.  
     
     
         92 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 86  further comprising the step of printing the sheet of material to provide a printed pattern thereon such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern.  
     
     
         93 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 86  further comprising the step of embossing the sheet of material to provide an embossed pattern thereon such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the embossed pattern.  
     
     
         94 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 86  further comprising the steps of: 
 printing the sheet of material to provide a printed pattern thereon; and    embossing the printed sheet of material to provide an embossed pattern thereon such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern and at least a portion of the embossed pattern.    
     
     
         95 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 94  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern of the sheet of material are in register.  
     
     
         96 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 94  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern of the sheet of material are out of register.  
     
     
         97 . A method for making curled decorative grass for use as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and as a media for plants, the curled decorative grass produced from a sheet of material wherein the curled decorative grass has a multi-sided cross section, a length and a width, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 providing a sheet of material;    drawing the sheet of material over at least one curl bar so as to produce a curled sheet of material; and    passing the curled sheet of material through a cutting unit to provide a plurality of strips while laterally oscillating the curled sheet of material, thereby providing a curled decorative grass having a compression-tension spring configuration.    
     
     
         98 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 97  wherein, in the step of passing the curled sheet of material through a cutting unit to provide a plurality of strips, the plurality of strips are attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         99 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 97  wherein the sheet of material is substantially flat.  
     
     
         100 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 97  wherein the sheet of material is selected from the group consisting of paper, polymeric film, laminated polymeric film, wax paper, paper having a shape-sustaining agent applied to at least one side thereof and paper having a lacquer applied to at least one side thereof.  
     
     
         101 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 97  further comprising the step of printing the sheet of material to provide a printed pattern thereon such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern.  
     
     
         102 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 97  further comprising the step of embossing the sheet of material to provide an embossed pattern thereon such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the embossed pattern.  
     
     
         103 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 97 , further comprising the steps of: 
 printing the sheet of material to provide a printed pattern thereon; and    embossing the printed sheet of material to provide an embossed pattern thereon such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern and at least a portion of the embossed pattern.    
     
     
         104 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 103  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern of the sheet of material are in register.  
     
     
         105 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 103  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern of the sheet of material are out of register.  
     
     
         106 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 97  further comprising the step of laterally oscillating the cutting unit to provide curled decorative grass having a compression-tension spring configuration.  
     
     
         107 . A method for making curled decorative grass for use as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, much for soil and as a media for plants, the curled decorative grass produced from a sheet of material wherein the curled decorative grass has a multi-sided cross section, a length and a width, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 providing a sheet of material;    drawing the sheet of material over a first curl bar so as to produce a curled sheet of material; and    drawing the curled sheet of material over a second curl bar so as to produce a modified curled sheet of material; and    cutting the curled sheet of material to provide a plurality of strips and oscillating the second curl bar in a direction substantially perpendicular to a travel path of the curled sheet of material so that, upon cutting the modified curled sheet of material to provide a plurality of strips, a curled decorative grass is formed that is curled along the length thereof and curled across the width thereof.    
     
     
         108 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 107  wherein the plurality of strips are attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         109 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 107  wherein the sheet of material is substantially flat.  
     
     
         110 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 107  further comprising the step of printing the sheet of material to provide a printed pattern thereon such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern.  
     
     
         111 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 107  further comprising the step of embossing the sheet of material to provide an embossed pattern thereon such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the embossed pattern.  
     
     
         112 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 105  further comprising the steps of: 
 printing the sheet of material to provide a printed pattern thereon; and    embossing the printed sheet of material to provide an embossed pattern thereon such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern and at least a portion of the embossed pattern.    
     
     
         113 . A method for making curled decorative grass for use as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and as a media for plants, the curled decorative grass produced from a sheet of material wherein the curled decorative grass has a multi-sided cross section, a length and a width, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 providing a sheet of material;    drawing the sheet of material over at least one curl bar so as to produce a curled sheet of material; and    passing the curled sheet of material through a cutting unit while laterally oscillating the cutting unit to form a plurality of curled segments, thereby providing a curled decorative grass having a compression-tension spring configuration.    
     
     
         114 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 113 , wherein the plurality of curled segments are attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         115 . A method for making curled decorative grass for use as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and as a media for plants, the curled decorative grass produced from a sheet of material wherein the curled decorative grass has a multi-sided cross section, a length and a width, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 providing a sheet of material;    slitting the sheet of material to provide a plurality of strips; and    drawing the plurality of strips over at least one curl bar to provide curled decorative grass having a substantially clock spring configuration.    
     
     
         116 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 115  wherein the step of drawing the plurality of strips over at least one curl bar further comprises cutting the plurality of strips to provide curled decorative grass.  
     
     
         117 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 115  wherein, in the step of slitting the sheet of material, the plurality of strips are attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         118 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 117  wherein the step of drawing the plurality of strips over at least one curl bar further comprises cutting the plurality of strips to provide curled decorative grass attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         119 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 115  wherein the sheet of material is substantially flat.  
     
     
         120 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 115  wherein the sheet of material is selected from the group consisting of paper, polymeric film, laminated polymeric film, wax paper, paper having a shape-sustaining agent applied to at least one side thereof and paper having a lacquer applied to at least one side thereof.  
     
     
         121 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 115  further comprising the step of printing the sheet of material to provide a printed pattern thereon such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern.  
     
     
         122 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 115  further comprising the step of embossing the sheet of material to provide an embossed pattern thereon such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the embossed pattern.  
     
     
         123 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 115  further comprising the steps of: 
 printing the sheet of material to provide a printed pattern thereon; and    embossing the printed sheet of material to provide an embossed pattern thereon such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern and at least a portion of the embossed pattern.    
     
     
         124 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 123  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern of the sheet of material are in register.  
     
     
         125 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 123  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern of the sheet of material are out of register.  
     
     
         126 . A curled decorative grass for use as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and as a media for plants, the curled decorative grass produced by a method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of strips of material; and    drawing the plurality of strips of material over at least one curl bar so as to produce curled decorative grass having a substantially clock spring configuration, wherein the curled decorative grass has a multi-sided cross section, a length and a width, the plurality of strips of material being maintained under tension while drawn over the at least one curl bar to ensure proper angular disposition of the plurality of strips of material over the at least one curl bar.    
     
     
         127 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 126 , wherein the step of drawing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material over at least one curl bar further comprises cutting the plurality of side-by-side strips of material to provide curled decorative grass.  
     
     
         128 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 127  further comprising the step of: 
 passing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material through a restraining assembly after the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are drawn over at least one curl bar and prior to cutting the plurality of side-by-side strips of material so as to maintain the plurality of side-by-side strips of material in a substantially planar or flattened condition, thereby enhancing uniformity of the curled decorative grass.    
     
     
         129 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 126 , wherein, in the step of slitting the sheet of material, the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         130 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 129 , wherein the step of drawing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material over at least one curl bar further comprises cutting the plurality of side-by-side strips of material to provide curled decorative grass attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         131 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 130  further comprising the step of: 
 passing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material through a restraining assembly after the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are drawn over at least one curl bar and prior to cutting the plurality of side-by-side strips of material so as to maintain the plurality of side-by-side strips of material in a substantially planar or flattened condition, thereby enhancing uniformity of the curled decorative grass.    
     
     
         132 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 126  wherein, in the step of drawing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material over at least one curl bar, the at least one curl bar is provided with a curling edge over which the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are drawn to form the curled decorative grass and wherein the curling edge of the at least one curl bar is disposed at an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees relative to the plurality of side-by-side strips of material.  
     
     
         133 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 126  wherein, in the step of drawing the plurality of side-by-side strips of material over at least one curl bar, the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are drawn over a plurality of spatially disposed curl bars to form the curled decorative grass.  
     
     
         134 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 133  wherein each of the curl bars is provided with a curling edge over which the plurality of side-by-side strips of material are drawn so as to impart the curl to the plurality of side-by-side strips of material and form the curled decorative grass, and wherein the curling edge of each of the curl bars is disposed at an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees relative to the plurality of side-by-side strips of material.  
     
     
         135 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 126  wherein, in the step of providing a plurality of strips of material, the plurality of strips of material are selected from the group consisting of paper, polymeric film, laminated polymeric film, wax paper, paper having a shape-sustaining agent applied to at least one side thereof, paper having a lacquer applied to at least one side thereof, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         136 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 126  wherein, in the step of providing a plurality of strips of material, the plurality of strips of material are provided with a printed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof.  
     
     
         137 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 126  wherein, in the step of providing a plurality of strips of material, the plurality of strips of material are provided with an embossed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof.  
     
     
         138 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 126  wherein, in the step of providing a plurality of strips of material, the plurality of strips of material are provided with a printed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof.  
     
     
         139 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 126  wherein, in the step of providing a plurality of strips of material, the plurality of strips of material are provided with a printed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof and an embossed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof.  
     
     
         140 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 139  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are in register with one another.  
     
     
         141 . The curled decorative grass of  claim 139  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are out of register with one another.  
     
     
         142 . A method for making curled decorative grass for use as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and as a media for plants, the curled decorative grass wherein the curled decorative grass has a multi-sided cross section, a length and a width, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of strips of material; and    drawing the plurality of strips of material over at least one curl bar so as to produce a curled decorative grass having a substantially clock spring configuration, the plurality of strips of material being maintained under tension while drawn over the at least one curl bar to ensure proper angular disposition of the plurality of strips of material over the at least one curl bar.    
     
     
         143 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 142  wherein the step of drawing the plurality of strips of material over at least one curl bar further comprises cutting the plurality of strips of material to provide curled decorative grass.  
     
     
         144 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 143  further comprising the step of: 
 passing the plurality of strips of material through a restraining assembly after the plurality of strips of material are drawn over at least one curl bar and prior to cutting the plurality of strips of material so as to maintain the plurality of strips of material in a substantially planar or flattened condition, thereby enhancing uniformity of the curled decorative grass.    
     
     
         145 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 142  wherein, in the step of providing the plurality of strips of material, the plurality of strips of material are attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         146 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 145 , wherein the step of drawing the plurality of strips of material over at least one curl bar further comprises cutting the plurality of strips of material to provide curled decorative grass attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         147 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 146  further comprising the step of: 
 passing the plurality of strips of material through a restraining assembly after the plurality of strips of material are drawn over at least one curl bar and prior to cutting the plurality of strips of material so as to maintain the plurality of strips of material in a substantially planar or flattened condition, thereby enhancing uniformity of the curled decorative grass.    
     
     
         148 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 142  wherein, in the step of drawing the plurality of strips of material over at least one curl bar, the at least one curl bar is provided with a curling edge over which the plurality of strips of material are drawn to form the curled decorative grass and wherein the curling edge of the at least one curl bar is disposed at an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees relative to the plurality of strips of material.  
     
     
         149 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 142  wherein, in the step of drawing the plurality of strips of material over at least one curl bar, the plurality of strips of material are drawn over a plurality of spatially disposed curl bars to form the curled decorative grass.  
     
     
         150 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 149  wherein each of the curl bars is provided with a curling edge over which the plurality of strips of material are drawn so as to impart the curl to the plurality of strips of material and form the curled decorative grass, and wherein the curling edge of each of the curl bars is disposed at an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees relative to the plurality of strips of material.  
     
     
         151 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 142  wherein, in the step of providing a plurality of strips of material, the plurality of strips of material are selected from the group consisting of paper, polymeric film, laminated polymeric film, wax paper, paper having a shape-sustaining agent applied to at least one side thereof, paper having a lacquer applied to at least one side thereof, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         152 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 142  wherein, in the step of providing a plurality of strips of material, the plurality of strips of material are provided with a printed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof.  
     
     
         153 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 142  wherein, in the step of providing a plurality of strips of material, the plurality of strips of material are provided with an embossed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof.  
     
     
         154 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 142  wherein, in the step of providing a plurality of strips of material, the plurality of strips of material are provided with a printed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof and an embossed pattern on at least a portion of one surface thereof.  
     
     
         155 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 154  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are in register with one another.  
     
     
         156 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 154  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are out of register with one another.  
     
     
         157 . A method for making curled decorative grass for use as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and as a media for plants, wherein the curled decorative grass has a multi-sided cross section, a length and a width, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of strips of material; and    drawing the plurality of strips of material over at least one curl bar to provide curled decorative grass having a substantially clock spring configuration.    
     
     
         158 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 157  wherein the step of drawing the plurality of strips of material over at least one curl bar further comprises cutting the plurality of strips of material to provide curled decorative grass.  
     
     
         159 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 157  wherein, in the step of providing the plurality of strips of material, the plurality of strips of material are attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         160 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 159  wherein the step of drawing the plurality of strips of material over at least one curl bar further comprises cutting the plurality of strips of material to provide curled decorative grass attached via at least one attach point.  
     
     
         161 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 157  wherein the plurality of strips of material are selected from the group consisting of paper, polymeric film, laminated polymeric film, wax paper, paper having a shape-sustaining agent applied to at least one side thereof, paper having a lacquer applied to at least one side thereof, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         162 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 157  further comprising the step of printing the plurality of strips of material to provide a printed pattern thereon such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern.  
     
     
         163 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 157  further comprising the step of embossing the plurality of strips of material to provide an embossed pattern thereon such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the embossed pattern.  
     
     
         164 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 157  further comprising the steps of: 
 printing the plurality of strips of material to provide a printed pattern thereon; and    embossing the printed plurality of strips of material to provide an embossed pattern thereon such that at least a substantial portion of the curled decorative grass formed therefrom contains at least a portion of the printed pattern and at least a portion of the embossed pattern.    
     
     
         165 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 164  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern of the sheet of material are in register.  
     
     
         166 . The method for making curled decorative grass of  claim 164  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern of the sheet of material are out of register.  
     
     
         167 . A curled decorative grass for use as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and as a media for plants, the curled decorative grass produced by a method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of strips of material;    drawing each of the plurality of strips of material over at least one curl bar so as to produce a curled strip of material, each of the plurality of strips of material being maintained under tension while drawn over the at least one curl bar to ensure proper angular disposition of each of the plurality of strips of material over the at least one curl bar; and    cutting the plurality of strips of material to provide curled decorative grass having a substantially clock spring configuration, wherein the curled decorative grass has a multi-sided cross section, a length and a width.